Apple: Windows on a Mac is here — update Apple Computer said on Wednesday that it has released a public beta version of Boot Camp, software that enables Microsoft Windows XP to run natively on Intel-based Macs. — The software, which will be included in Mac OS X 10.5, called Leopard, is available for download on Apple's Web site.

Microsoft Wins Big Order for Cellphone Software — Microsoft has won its biggest contract ever for mobile phone software, an order from the United States Census Bureau for 500,000 handsets. — Microsoft plans to unveil the deal as early as today, Scott Horn, a general manager for the company, said in an interview.

Census to Use Mobile Devices for Survey — SEATTLE - To compile data for its 2010 survey, the Census Bureau is putting down pen and paper and picking up handheld computers. — The portable devices are being designed to allow census workers to immediately record information they gather …

Laptop Detractors Shrugged Off — The Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor who hopes to give $100 laptops to the world's children dismissed recent criticisms Tuesday and said his project could begin distributing the computers by early next year. — Kicking off the LinuxWorld conference …

Software Out There — THE Internet is entering its Lego era. — Indeed, blocks of interchangeable software components are proliferating on the Web and developers are joining them together to create a potentially infinite array of useful new programs. This new software represents …

Podcasting Roils NPR Fund Raising — JoAnna Michaels is an inveterate listener of National Public Radio, but she won't be tuning in as much this month. — Her local Las Vegas affiliate, KNPR, kicked off its spring membership drive last week with program interruptions pleading for donations …

Antisocial Networking Gets Hip — Online social networks are usually all about bringing together people who like the same things. — The founder of a new anti-social networking site, however, is finding that shared hates can be an equally effective bonding tool.

SCEE VP says PS3 will cost 499 to 599 euros — In a radio interview with Générations Europe 1 yesterday, George Fornay — president of Sony Computer Entertainment France and vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe — let a little something slip: the PlayStation 3 will cost between €499 and €599.

Referral program for AdWords live for all publishers now — I reported several weeks ago that some publishers in select countries (US, Canada & UK were amongst those excluded) were able to refer new advertisers to AdWords in exchange for a commission after the advertiser spent a certain advertising value.

Death to User-Generated Content — Can I make a suggestion? Let's all stop using the phrase "user-generated content." I'm serious. It's a despicable, terrible term. Let's deconstruct it. — User: One who uses. Like, you know, a junkie. — Generated: Like a generator, engine.

Hey Miki! — Today we launched Miki — a wiki platform optimized for mobile devices. As wikis are becoming an essential communications tool for enterprises, so to is being able to access and edit anywhere. Another first from Socialtext, this is an achievement in simplicity.

Making Your Apps work with Internet Explorer 7 — Microsoft is under increasing pressure to do something with Internet Explorer 7 (IE7). Like little dogs nipping at its heels, other browsers have raised the bar of user expectations. Microsoft has had to respond.